Friday, February 15, 2008

The Truth About the Younger Generations

Many say that the younger generations demand more praise and coddling at work. However, research suggests that this group of newer employees actually have more in common with their senior counterparts than many would like to admit. You see, everyone likes to be appreciated for a job well done. True, in the past, this type of corporate behavior was harder to find, but it doesn't mean that people didn't want it.

In fact, I think the younger generations have seen how their parents were treated at work (lay offs just before pensions kicked in, long hours away from home, and lots of stress when they were home, etc), and they don't want to end up the same way. They want a commitment from their employers that what they do will make a difference and that they will be recognized for their work. They want to see more loyalty from the employers before they blindly give their trust to the organization.

Interesting isn't it? Organizations expect loyalty and dependability, but they don't deliver the same to employees. Why should they be surprised by an employee's hesitancy?

Gallup asked 15 million people around the world what would it take for them to want to follow their leader? The # 1 answer: Show me that you care.

Maybe instead of labeling the younger generation as a spoiled group of undeserving recruits, we should ask how they have learned to feel the way they do about corporate life. What is it about organizations and businesses in general that have created the resentment and demands that they are so willing to vocalize?

Recently, someone with 30+ years of experience, commented in one of my sessions that they have felt the same way as the younger generation has for a long time, but they just never verbally expressed it the way people do now. Isn't it about time?

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